What kind of life you had when you were 17 years old? Studying? Working? Or growing under your parents’ protection? To me, it was totally different. One day in that year, I felt my feet on the ground for the last time.
In 2005, like other teenagers, I would like to play with friends until the midnight, and spend little time with my family members. One day, my friends and I came to a swimming pool. They jumped into water one by one, and I was the last one. Unfortunately, I jumped into the wheelchair instead, as my head hit the bottom of the swimming pool. My body could feel nothing although my conscious was clear. I asked help from my friends, but they just thought that I was kidding. Later, they found me abnormal, and then pulled me out of water. I was sent to the hospital, and my C4-C6 cervical spines were found damaged. Consequently, I totally lost my muscle function of limbs, which I never imagined. Lip reading became the only way for me to communicate with the world, and I could only see that people’s eyes were reading my thoughts. As time went by, all medical devices applied to sustain my life were removed, and then I realized how sweet the water was and how fresh the air was. However, the nightmare still lingered. The doctor seriously told me that I would spend the rest of my life in the wheelchair. At the very beginning, it was really a bolt from the blue and I even cried and complained all day long. Suicide was a frequent thought in my mind. Walking away from the gate of hell, I was transferred to Tai Po Hospital. During that period, I needed the nurse to help me do everything, and I felt like in prison. Later, I met Ming Jai, Sam and Ka Ming from Direction Association. With their support and encouragement, I wanted to leave the hospital, but still lacked self-confidence.
I visited the home of the association members, and found that the carer could give them the best caring. They would also meet to celebrate their birthday together, and although they were all sitting in the wheelchair, they were happy, which actually inspired me. Then, I started to do exercises positively, and hoped that my abilities of limbs could be improved. Now, I am using the electronic-powered wheelchair which makes me feel freer, and I often go shopping and go out for meal with my friends. At the beginning of 2007, I applied and obtained public rental housing. After the accident, I understand the importance of cherishing family members, and I sincerely thank their caring and love.
Love is a door that never closes. With love, I can have a new life. Eventually, I understand that I must adjust my mind to accept the unchangeable fact. Now I live my life to the fullest. For example, I will do some voluntary works, visit other patients in hospital, share my experience with different students, encourage others to cherish their life and create a wonderful and brilliant life.
